Masked robbers carry out dawn raid on McDonald’s

ROBBERS wearing balaclavas stole cash from a fast food restaurant in Oxford’s third business robbery in five days.

Two masked men entered McDonald’s in Botley shortly after 6am yesterday and threatened staff before speeding off with the money in a getaway car.

The incident comes after a shopkeeper was injured when armed robbers targeted a newsagent in Littlemore on Sunday and Headington Post Office staff were threatened with a knife by a would-be robber on Friday.

No weapons were used in the robbery at the West Way burger restaurant yesterday and only cash was taken.

But last night police had not made any arrests and were appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Police said following the dawn raid the thieves, described as white men, drove off at speed in a white Seat vehicle in the direction of the A34.

Dc Arran Cliff, from Abingdon police station, appealed for the public’s help in tracking down the offenders.

He said: “This area is always busy with early morning commuters, and I am keen to hear from anyone who may have seen these men fleeing the scene and can provide us with details about their movements.”

And he moved to reassure Botley residents about their safety after the incident.

He said: “This sort of offence is very unusual for this area, and the local neighbourhood team will be carrying out additional patrols in the area to offer reassurance to the local community and will be available to answer people’s questions.”

A McDonald’s spokeswoman said that staff members affected were being offered support, adding: “We can confirm a robbery took place at the McDonald’s restaurant on Botley Road in Oxford early this morning.

“We are offering our full support to those staff members affected by the shock of the incident and we are co-operating fully with the police in their enquiries.”

Meanwhile, newsagent Vijaya Bandara Karunaratne, known as Karu, was injured in a scuffle when robbers armed with a knife and a hammer robbed Littlemore News in Cowley Road, Littlemore, at lunchtime on Sunday.

A 34-year-old Oxford man arrested after the raid was last night still in police custody, while a 23-year-old man, also from Oxford, has been released on bail until April 30.

Police have also made an arrest after staff in Headington’s London Road Post Office were threatened on Friday. But last night no details on the arrest were available.

Anyone with information about the McDonald’s raid should call Det Con Cliff via the 101 non-emergency number or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

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